Magnetometer package

Abstract

A magnetometer package with a housing, a plurality of sensing elements, a board, and a sealing element. The housing has a first end, a second end, and a bore. The first end of the housing is adapted to receive the board and the sealing element. The second end of the housing is adapted to receive a plug. The plurality of sensing elements, the board, and the sealing element rest in the bore. The plurality of sensing elements are mounted on the board and are orientated so that their sensing axes sense magnetic fields in different directions.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A magnetometer package comprising: 
       a plurality of sensing elements for measuring in a plurality of directions in three-dimensional space;  
       a housing having a first end and a second end;  
       a board coupled to the plurality of sensing elements; and  
       a formed plug in the first end, wherein the formed plug seals the first end and engages the plurality of sensing elements so as to fasten the plurality of sensing elements within the housing.  
     
     
       2. The magnetometer package of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensing elements include a first sensing element, a second sensing element, and a third sensing element. 
     
     
       3. The magnetometer package of  claim 2 , wherein the first, second, and third sensing elements are orientated so that the first, second, and third sensing elements have sensing axes that are perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
       4. The magnetometer package of  claim 2 , wherein the first sensing element and the third sensing element are supported in corresponding planes that are parallel to each other. 
     
     
       5. The magnetometer package of  claim 4 , wherein the formed plug is sandwiched between the first sensing element and the third sensing element. 
     
     
       6. The magnetometer package of  claim 5 , wherein the first, second, and third sensing elements are orientated so that the first, second, and third sensing elements have sensing axes that are perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
       7. The magnetometer package of  claim 4 , wherein the second sensing element is supported in a plane that is perpendicular to the planes of the first and third sensing elements. 
     
     
       8. The magnetometer package of  claim 2 , wherein the first and third sensing elements are supported on a first surface of the board, and wherein the second sensing element is supported on a second opposing surface of the board. 
     
     
       9. The magnetometer package of  claim 8 , wherein the formed plug engages the first and third sensing elements directly and engages the second sensing element through the board. 
     
     
       10. The magnetometer package of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing element in the second end. 
     
     
       11. The magnetometer package of  claim 10 , wherein the sealing element includes a plug. 
     
     
       12. The magnetometer package of  claim 1 , wherein the board includes a flexible board. 
     
     
       13. The magnetometer package of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible board includes a flex tape. 
     
     
       14. The magnetometer package of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible board is constructed to form a j-like shape. 
     
     
       15. A magnetometer package comprising: 
       a plurality of sensing elements for measuring magnetic fields in a plurality of directions in three-dimensional space;  
       a housing having a first end and a second end;  
       a board supporting the plurality of sensing elements;  
       a first formed plug sealing the first end;  
       a second formed plug sealing the second end, wherein the first and second formed plugs engage the plurality of sensing elements so as to fasten the plurality of sensing elements within the housing, and wherein the plurality of sensing elements are orientated so as to measure magnetic fields in different directions.  
     
     
       16. The magnetometer package of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of sensing elements include a first sensing element, a second sensing element, and a third sensing element. 
     
     
       17. The magnetometer package of  claim 16 , wherein the first, second, and third sensing elements are orientated so that the sensing elements have sensing axes that are perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
       18. The magnetometer package of  claim 16 , wherein the first sensing element and the third sensing element are supported in corresponding planes that are parallel to each other. 
     
     
       19. The magnetometer package of  claim 18 , wherein the second sensing element is supported in a plane that is perpendicular to the planes of the first and third sensing elements. 
     
     
       20. The magnetometer package of  claim 16 , wherein the first and third sensing elements are supported on a first surface of the board, and wherein the second sensing element is supported on a second opposing surface of the board. 
     
     
       21. The magnetometer package of  claim 20 , wherein the first formed plug directly engages the first and third sensing elements and indirectly engages the second sensing element through the board, and wherein the second formed plug directly engages the second sensing element. 
     
     
       22. The magnetometer package of  claim 21 , wherein the first and third sensing elements engage a first surface of the board, and wherein the second sensing element engages a second opposing surface of the board. 
     
     
       23. The magnetometer package of  claim 15 , wherein the board includes a flexible circuit board. 
     
     
       24. The magnetometer package of  claim 23 , wherein the flexible board includes a flex tape. 
     
     
       25. The magnetometer package of  claim 23 , wherein the flexible board is constructed to form a j-like shape. 
     
     
       26. A method of making a three-axis magnetometer comprising: 
       a) coupling first, second, and third sensing elements to a common board;  
       b) folding the common board around a plug so that the sensing axes of the first, second, and third sensing elements are mutually perpendicular and so that the plug engages at least two of the first, second, and third sensing elements; and  
       c) inserting the plug into a housing so that the plug seals the first, second, and third sensing elements and the common board within the housing.  
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26 , wherein the folding of the common board around a plug includes orientating the first sensing element and the second sensing element in planes that are parallel to each other. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27 , wherein the folding of the common board around a plug includes orientating the third sensing element in a plane that is perpendicular to the planes of the first and second sensing elements. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28 , wherein the folding of the common board around a plug includes sandwiching one of the first, second, and third sensing elements between the board and the plug. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 28 , wherein the folding of the common board around a plug includes sandwiching the first and second sensing elements between a surface of the common board and the plug. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 30 , wherein the plug is a first plug, and wherein the method further includes sealing the first, second, and third sensing elements with a second plug so that the third sensing element engages the second plug. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 26 , wherein the folding of the common board around a plug includes sandwiching one of the first, second, and third sensing elements between the board and the plug.